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To Obama via JR Obama Line (Tsuruga Station).404 views
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JR Obama Line at Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture, the line's terminus. From Tsuruga, it takes 60 to 70 min. to Obama.337 views
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Obama Castle stone foundation for the main castle tower. No structure remain. No moats remain either, except for the two rivers which served as a natural moat.218 views
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Saba-zushi or rice topped with mackerel, a local specialty in Obama, Fukui.210 views
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Minamigawa River182 views
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Statue of Sugita Genpaku as a child, in front of the public hospital. 杉田 玄白175 views
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Right after their performance ended at 7:25 pm, I had to leave to catch the last train home. I missed seeing the Obama Boys who also danced. The event ended at 8 pm. Also see my video at YouTube.173 views
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Statue of Sugita Genpaku, a Dutch studies scholar who studied medicine. He was from Obama. 杉田 玄白172 views
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The back of their T-shirt reads "I love Obama -- Obama Girls."168 views
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A bust of Barack Obama outside the Wakasa-ya souvenir shop in Obama, Fukui. Made by a local plasterer in 2008. Not a very good likeness.129 views
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Obama Station123 views
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Obama merchandise and souvenirs, for both Obama and Barack Obama are sold at a few stores in Obama. This store called Wakasa-ya, on Hamakaze-dori, has the largest selection of Obama goods. A short walk from Obama Station.123 views
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Some shops along the main drag (Ote-dori and Hamakaze-dori) have these notices in support of Barack Obama, world peace, and cultural exchange.122 views
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"I love Obama" banners decorate the main drags in central Obama. 120 views
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The second number was "Kaimana Hila" sung in Hawaiian. Kaimana Hila means Diamond Head (the famous mountain/crater in Honolulu). It's a standard hula number.117 views
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Obama beach, fit for swimming in summer.116 views
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Obama rolled maki-sushi on sale.114 views
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"I love Obama" T-shirts for 2500 yen.113 views
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"I love Obama" banner112 views
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Some shops along Hamakaze-dori shopping arcade have these congratulatory notices for President Barack Obama.112 views
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More Obama manju112 views
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Obama support signs on a hotel entrance in Obama, on Jan. 20, 2009, the Inauguration Day. This is probably the hotel where the Obama booster members would watch the inauguration live on TV at 1 am. 111 views
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Look at this, hula dancing in a Japanese Buddhist temple in Obama, Fukui Prefecture, Japan.110 views
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It must have been cold for these dancers dressed for a tropical setting. The temperature was slightly above freezing.110 views
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Obama beach109 views
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Pure and clean water well108 views
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Wakasa-ya souvenir shop on Hamakaze-dori. 若狭屋 はまかぜ通り107 views
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Wakasa-ya souvenir shop107 views
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Obama Girls dance the hula. The first number was a Japanese rendition of "Sophisticated Hula" called "Tsuki no Yoru wa" (The Moon at Night).107 views
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Obama Castle remains. Only the stone foundation and a few stone walls remain. Obama Castle was built by Kyogoku Takatsugu in 1601 after he was awarded the Wakasa domain for his service during the Battle of Sekigahara.107 views
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The Wakasa-ya shop displays snapshots of past activities of the Obama booster association.106 views
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JR Obama Station106 views
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Sushi restaurant in Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf. Buy sushi and eat it there with free miso soup and tea.106 views
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Statue outside Obama City Hall.106 views
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Obama senbei crackers105 views
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Later, Obama's mascot Nana-chan (a cat with mackerel fish stripes) joined in and they sang the mascot's song.105 views
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"I love Obama" sticker on store window. This logo is 102 views
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"I love Obama" T-shirts and banners. The banner is only 1200 yen (excluding the pole).102 views
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This event drew quite a few press people, and it was reported in most major Japanese newspapers and a few foreign media.102 views
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Obama coast102 views
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The Obama Girls (and Boys) were formed because of Barack being born and mainly raised in Hawaii. The Obama Girls will travel to Hawaii (at their own expense) to perform as well.101 views
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A copy of the letter from presidential candidate Barack Obama to the city of Obama, Fukui Prefecture. Dated Feb. 21, 2008. Click on thumbnail to see full text.101 views
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Statue of Lord Sakai Tadakatsu outside Obama City Hall. Tadakatsu also served as Tairo, of Chief Minister in the Tokugawa government during 1638 to 1656.101 views
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A bust of Barack Obama outside the Wakasa-ya souvenir shop in Obama, Fukui.100 views
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"I love Obama" manju bean cakes, but only the back of his head is imprinted on the manju.100 views
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Laquered chopsticks with the "I love Obama" logo.100 views
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Obama burgers were passed out free to the people attending the event. Free soft drinks (hot) also helped in warming my hands.100 views
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Along the Obama waterfront is this Mermaid Terrace.100 views
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JR Obama Line99 views
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Obama confections such as manju, this time with the face imprinted (instead of the back of the head). Passed out for free.98 views
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The event started with singing by a local group called Anyone Brother's Band. They sang a song called "Obama is Beautiful World!"98 views
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Also see my video at YouTube. おばま ガールズ98 views
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Inside Obama City Hall.98 views
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Obama Station97 views
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The event started at 6:30 pm when it was quite dark (the actual inauguration ceremonies in Washington, DC would start some hours later at around 2 am that night, Japan time).96 views
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Mermaid Terrace.96 views
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Obama waterfront96 views
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Some presidential campaign memorabilia in a store corner.95 views
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Laquered chopsticks with the "I love Obama" logo. Laquerware is one of Obama's local specialties.95 views
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Obama goods included sake rice wine.95 views
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JR Obama Station entrance95 views
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Izumi-cho shopping arcade was also the starting point of the Saba Kaido road to Kyoto. During the Edo Period, this road was used by saba (mackerel fish) merchants traveling to sell their fish. The road was actually a network of roads. 95 views
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Hagaji temple's Hondo main hall where the 11-face Kannon statue is worshipped. This is the main venue for Obama's Inauguration Day event.94 views
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Obama Castle stone foundation for the main castle tower. Lord Sakai Tadakatsu built the main castle tower in 1636. 小浜城跡94 views
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Layout of the original Obama Castle sandwiched between two rivers.94 views
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Mermaid Terrace94 views
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Obama book in Japanese. His election victory speech in Japanese.93 views
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Mermaid on mailbox93 views
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Wing Terrace93 views
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Inside Izumi-cho shopping arcade where they sell mostly seafood.93 views
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Application form to join the Obama Informal Booster Association (Obama wo Katte ni Oen Suru Kai). オバマを勝手に応援する会92 views
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Manju at the kiosk at Obama Station.92 views
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Right near the exit of Obama Station is the tourist information office where you can obtain maps, pamphlets, and ask questions.92 views
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Obama Castle stone foundation for the main castle tower. After the Kyogoku Clan moved to Izumo (Shimane Pref.), Sakai Tadakatsu took up residence in 1634 and his clan lived in the castle until the Meiji Restoration.92 views
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On top of Obama Castle stone foundation for the main castle tower.91 views
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"I love Obama" headbands for 600 yen.90 views
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On Jan. 20, 2009, the US Presidential Inauguration Day for Hawaii-born Barack Obama, the city of Obama in Fukui held a special event at Hagaji temple. 羽賀寺90 views
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JR Obama Station exit90 views
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Main drag (Ote-dori) from Obama Station. 大手通り90 views
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Obama coast90 views
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Hagaji temple is one of Obama's major temples with Important Cultural Properties including an 11-face Kannon statue.89 views
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Hagaji's temple bell.89 views
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Then a woman from the Obama Girls hula troupe read a message from Obama Mayor Koji Matsuzaki. The mayor, of course, hopes that Barack will visit Obama someday. (Toshio Murakami is no longer mayor.)89 views
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JR Obama Station and taxis.89 views
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Near the water is Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf, housing restaurants, souvenir shops, and a tour boat ticket office.89 views
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Inside the Saba Kaido Museum.89 views
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Obama's Inauguration Day event was called "Going Beyond the Seven Seas--Peace Bell Ringing for the World. 七つの海を超えて、世界にとどけ平和の鐘88 views
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Dried bread in cans.88 views
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Private homes are built right up to the castle wall.88 views
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Boat cruise to Sotomo Rocks on the nearby coast.88 views
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Inside Wakasa-ya shop, there's an application form to join the Obama for Obama Association (Obama wo Katte ni Oen Suru Kai).87 views
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Obama chopsticks. These were the more expensive ones costing around 1900 yen.87 views
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They sang "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.87 views
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Train schedule for Obama Station. Very few train runs, about once an hour or less.87 views
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Entrance to Izumi-cho shopping arcade.87 views
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At 7 pm, fireworks were launched near the temple as the signal to start ringing the Hagaji temple bell. About eight temples in Obama (as well as in Nagasaki where there is Obama Onsen spa) started ringing the temple bell at 7 pm for world peace.86 views
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Obama sake84 views
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View from Obama Castle stone foundation for the main castle tower.84 views
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Sign urging the construction of a train line to Obama via Shiga Prefecture.83 views
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Main drag (Hamakaze-dori) from Obama Station83 views
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Road leading to the hilltop Obama Park where the youth hostel used to be.83 views
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Izumi-cho also has a small museum for the Saba Kaido seen on the right.83 views
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JR Obama Station platform82 views
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Whoever owned the castle land apparently sold off some house lots.82 views
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Next on the program was a letter to Barack Obama read aloud by the chairman of the Obama for Obama Association. After reading it, he put the letter in an envelope to be mailed to the US President.81 views
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Lookout deck in Obama Park.81 views
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Obama 81 views
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Saba Kaido Museum. You can see what the mackerel merchants wore when traveling.81 views
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Various people rang it a total of seven times to spread peace over the seven oceans of the world. The temple priest was the first to strike the bell.80 views
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Welcome to Obama80 views
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The castle grounds now has Obama Jinja Shrine, a Shinto shrine.80 views
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Obama City Hall80 views
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Near the Hondo hall were tents selling Obama food and merchandise. The sign celebrates the birth of US President Obama.79 views
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The castle suffers from unsightly parking lots and private homes encroaching on its historic remains. 79 views
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Obama Castle wall79 views
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On top of castle wall.79 views
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Obama Castle's foundation for a turret.79 views
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View from Obama Park.79 views
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Obama soba noodles, 500 yen per bag.78 views
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Starting point of the Saba Kaido road. 鯖街道78 views
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After the choir, the Obama Girls hula dancers took over the stage and danced two songs. For someone like me from Hawaii, it was trippy to see hula dancing in a Buddhist temple.77 views
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Other people who rang the bell included members of the Obama Girls who were to perform later.77 views
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Saba Kaido Museum displays accounting books for selling saba mackerel fish.77 views
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Path to Hagaji temple's main Hondo hall.76 views
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JR Obama Station76 views
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Lookout deck in Obama Park. This was where the Chimuras were abducted by North Korea in 1978. Obama was one of the main places North Korean agents used to enter Japan.76 views
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The temple priest prays after ringing the bell.75 views
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After the bell ringing, a large local choir sang Beethoven, including three professional soloists who sang for free.75 views
 
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